Safety stand for steam irons



Oct. 13, 1953 E. M. TAYLOR SAFETY STAND FOR STEAM IRQNS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 21, 1952 K. k. a e Q e e e fle ETTA u|. TAYLOR INVENTOR BY yja ATTORNEYS Oct. 13, 1953 E. M. TAYLOR SAFETY STAND FOR STEAM IRONS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. '21, 1952 FlG. .6

ETTA M. TAYLOR INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 13, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY STAND FOR STEAM IRONS Etta M. Taylor, Seattle, Wash.

Application January 21, 1952, Serial No. 267,489 2 Claims. (01. 248-117.2)

This present invention consists of a watertight base receptacle shaped generally after the fashion of the steam fiatiron of the type used by the average housewife. Removably positioned within the confines of the base receptacle and at a level sufficient to provide a retaining rim around the iron, except for the back end, is a perforated rest member. The electric steam iron is positioned on this rest member and any leakage or deliberate discharge from the iron comes to rest in the base receptacle. This insures complete fire safety for the electric iron in that it is resting on a sheet of metal which is spaced away from the bottom of the base receptacle, so that reflective properties of the base can be taken advantage of, and then by having a small amount of water in the base, there is no danger of the flatiron, even though inadvertently left on for a long period, ever igniting the surface upon which the stand rests. This is further insured by spacing the bottom of the base from the supporting surface by the provision of a plurality of downwardly extending feet.

It is apparent that many forms of iron stands have been produced. usually of open pattern, and of cast iron, was the common form, and modern iron stands have in most cases merely employed the same general principle, but have been made of sheet metal in conformity with modern practice. It is well known, however, that the electric flatiron itself, 1

if left with the electric current on for a long period, will soon raise the temperature of any metal upon which it rests substantially to its own and consequently the stand of such a structure merely delays the period of heating to a point where dangerous temperatures may be encountered. It is believed that with my present structure I have overcome the deficiencies noted in a wide variety of electric fiatiron stands, and While my stand is particularly adjusted to the steam iron, the same safety provisions can be obtained, however, for use with any form of flatiron whether it is of the older externally heated sadiron or the conventional electrically heated flatiron. In these latter cases it is only necessary to introduce a small amount of water into the base receptacle and full protection is thus assured.

The principal object of my present invention therefore is to provide a convenient base and clean stand for flatirons.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stand especially well adapted for use with the electric steam flatiron.

For years the trivet,

A further object of my present invention is to provide a stand for flatirons which will afford an unusually high degree of protection against firing or scorching of the surface upon which the stand rests.

A further object of my invention is to provide a stand for steam flatirons which will catch any water leakage from such irons.

A further object of my invention is to provide a flatiron stand that is convenient to use and very easily taken apart for thorough cleaning.

Further objects, advantages and capabilities will be apparent from the description and disclosure in the drawings, or may be comprehended or are inherent in the device.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of my present invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing my stand in use with an electric steam fiatiron, the iron itself is shown in light full lines and the stand in section;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view through the nose end of my stand as it appears when being drained of accumulated water;

Figure 6 is a partially exploded, perspective view showing the two parts making up my present flatiron stand.

Referringmore particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, the numeral Iil indicates the base receptacle which forms the principal unit of my fiatiron stand. This unit is formed with a flat bottom l2 and has an upstanding wall entirely around its perimeter. In plan view, the general shape is that of a trowel or more properly a shape which conforms generally to the shape of the electrically heated flatirons but of somewhat larger dimensions. The sidewalls each have a rear portion as M and it which are substantially parallel and then they converge with the rounded or curved portions i8 and 26 which join a pointed front or nose 22. These walls have appreciable vertical extent so that they will house a rest member, and at the same time give an upstanding rim above the top sur face of the rest member, so as to position the iron generally and prevent its being pushed or slid off of the rest. At its rear end, receptacle I0 is provided with an end wall 24 which does not extend upwardly to the extent of the side walls. This is to make it convenient for placing the iron on the rest or in removing the same,

Normally the preferred form of this base receptacle would be one formed from a single piece of metal so that there would be no seams. This is desirable in view of the fact that there is considerable heat to be taken care of and any economical form of securing corners where the sides meet with the end walls would be difiicult to mainas atight, lasting joint. In order to space bottom 12 slightly above the surface upon which it rests, a plurality of feet 26 has been provided. These feet when used on a firm surface space the bottom above the surface and add to the fire safety and protection feature of the device. On somewhat resilient surfaces such as a padded ironing board top, it has been found that such feet with their points of greater bearing pressure tend to make the stand more stable in operation and tend to locate it and prevent its slipping such as might occur if the housewife 'slid her iron into the device instead of setting it on to the same.

Disposed Wholly within the confines of the base receptacle is the rest member 30. Rest member 39 has a plane surface 32 which is pierced throughout its extent by a plurality of drain and ventilation openings 34. The periphery of rest 36 is formed with a downwardly extending wall or lip. This gives great structural strength to the rest permitting it to be made of light gauge material and also definitely spaces it the optimum distance from bottom 12 of the receptacle. I have provided the rest member with a downwardly extending end wall 36 and downwardly extending sidewalls as 38 and S8. The sidewalls 38 and 39 do not meet at the front or pointed end of the rest but are cut away to provide the drain or finger opening 40. This opening is substantially a U shape cut in the end of the rest large enough so that a persons finger can be placed in it when it is desired to lift the rest member after the showing of Figure 6. This opening provides a very 'convenient means for draining out collected or deposited water from the receptacle. This functioning is shown in Figure 5. A desirable rela tionship between the height of walls l4 and I6 and the walls formed on the lower surface of rest 32 as 35, 38, and 39 is probably best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 in which it will be noted that the depending walls from the rest member place the top surface of the rest 32 slightly above the top surface of the end wall 24. This prevents damage to this end wall when theiron is in use and assures the easy removal of the iron when desired.

It is believed that it will be clearly apparent from the above description and the disclosure in the drawings that the invention comprehends a novel construction of a safety stand for steam lI'OIl.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:

1. A safety stand for flatirons, comprising: a base receptacle forming a water reservoir, said receptacle having a generally flat bottom; said bottom having generally the shape of a flatiron with one straight end and two sides extendin from said straight end on substantially parallel lines and then curving toward each other forming a pointed second end, said receptacle having walls extending upwardly from said ends and sides of said bottom forming a watertight enclosure; a rest member positioned in said base receptacle having a generally planar top of similar shape to said bottom except having a U-sh-aped recess at the end corresponding to said pointed endof said bottom forming a drain opening, said rest member having walls downwardly extending from the ends and sides of said top forming means spacing said top from said bottom, said walls of said rest member being position'ed inside of and adjacent to said walls of said receptacle, 'sai'd walls of said receptacle extending above said top forming retaining means for flatirons positioned thereon except the Wall extending upwardly from said straight end having its upper edge at nearly the same level as said top so that fiatirons may be slid onto said top of said rest member, said top of said rest mem' her having a series of drain and ventilation open"- ings throughout its extent.

2. A safety stand for fl'atirons, comprising: a base receptacle forming a water reservoir, said receptacle having a generally flat bottom; bottom having generally the shape of a fiati'ron with one straight end, said receptacle having walls extending upwardly from the ends and sides of said bottom forming a watertight en closure; a rest member positioned in said base receptacle having a generally planar top; means spacing said top from said bottom, said walls of said receptacle extending above said top forming retaining means for fiatirons positioned thereon except the wall extending upwardly from said straight end having its upper edge at nearly the same level as said top so that flatirons may be slid onto said top of said rest member, said top of said rest member having a series of drain and ventilation openings throughout its extent.

'ETT" "A M. Tarpon.

References Cited the file of this pares: UNITED STATES *PATEN'TS 

